Pocket Guide to South Africa 2005: Provinces
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05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 43 Provinces South Africa’s surface area covers 1 219 090 km2,divided into nine provinces, each with its own unique landscape, economic activities, people and attractions. Few, if any, other countries offer the visitor as much breathtaking beauty and astonishing variety. Each province has its own legislature, premier and executive council. The provinces are: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Western Cape This is a region of majestic mountains; well-watered valleys; wide, sandy beaches; and breathtaking scenery. Cape Town, the legislative capital, is one of the world’s most beautiful cities and is a must-see for every tourist. WESTERN CAPE Capital: Cape Town Principal languages: Afrikaans 55,3% isiXhosa 23,7% English 19,3% Population: 4 645 600 (Mid-year estimates, 2005) Area (km2): 129 370 % of total area: 10,6% GDPR* at current prices (2003): R181,069 billion % of total GDP**: 14,5% * GDPR (Gross Domestic Product by Region) ** GDP (Gross Domestic Product) Source: Statistics South Africa 43 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 44 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2005/06 Other important towns in the province include Worcester and Stellenbosch for their winelands; George, renowned for indigenous timber and vegetable produce (and, nowadays, for world-class golf courses); and Oudtshoorn, known for its ostrich products and the celebrated Cango caves. Provincial economy The agricultural sector accounts for over 55% of all South African agricultural exports; fruit and wine from the Cape are enjoyed around the world, as is seafood from the province. The Western Cape’s share of the national economy grew to 14,5% in 2003. Financial and business services are strong contributors to the provincial economy, while Information Technology is set to become an important source of growth. Some tourist attractions: • Robben Island, where former President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for a number of years, in Table Bay off Cape Town • Table Mountain, with its modern cableway, which takes visitors to the top, providing breathtaking views • the National Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch • whale-watching at Hermanus • a wine-tasting tour of the spectacular winelands • the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site. Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape, a land of undulating hills, endless sandy beaches, majestic mountain ranges and deep green forests, is the second-largest of the nine provinces. The region ranges from the dry, desolate Great Karoo to the lush forests The Western Cape’s fynbos is one of six floral kingdoms worldwide, with more plant species than the whole of Europe. fact 44 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 45 Provinces EASTERN CAPE Capital: Bisho Principal languages: isiXhosa 83,4% Afrikaans 9,3% English 3,6% Population: 7 039 300 (Mid-year estimates, 2005) Area (km2): 169 580 % of total area: 13,9% GDPR at current prices (2003): R88,032 billion % of total GDP: 8,1% Source: Statistics South Africa of the Wild Coast and the Keiskamma Valley, and the mountainous southern Drakensberg region. Provincial economy The Eastern Cape has excellent agricultural and forestry potential. The fertile Langkloof Valley has enormous deciduous fruit orchards, while the Karoo interior is an important sheep-farming area. The metropolitan economies of Port Elizabeth and East London are based primarily on manufacturing, the most important being motor manufacturing. The Coega Industrial Development Zone near Port Elizabeth is one of the biggest initiatives ever undertaken in South Africa. Some tourist attractions: • Grahamstown, the City of the Saints, a historical, educational and religious centre • the endless golden beaches of Port Alfred and Kenton- on-Sea • a walking tour of the Wild Coast • the pachyderms of the Addo Elephant National Park. KwaZulu-Natal South Africa’s garden province boasts a lush subtropical coastline, sweeping savanna in the east, and the magnificent 45 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 46 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2005/06 KWAZULU-NATAL Capital: Pietermaritzburg Principal languages: isiZulu 80,9% English 13,6% Afrikaans 1,5% Population: 9 651 100 (Mid-year estimates, 2005) Area (km2): 92 100 % of total area: 7, 6 % GDPR at current prices (2003): R206,766 billion % of total GDP: 16,5% Source: Statistics South Africa Drakensberg mountains in the west. The warm Indian Ocean washing its beaches makes KwaZulu-Natal one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations. Some of South Africa’s best-protected indigenous coastal forests are found along the subtropical coastline. The bustling metropolis of Durban has the busiest port in Africa. Provincial economy KwaZulu-Natal was the second-highest contributor to the South African economy in 2003, at 16,5% of gross domestic product (GDP). Sugar-cane plantations form the mainstay of the agricultural economy. Other important agricultural contributors are dairy, fruit and vegetables, and forestry. Tourist attractions: • the 19th-century battlefields where imperial Britain clashed with the Zulu nation • Durban’s fascinating mix of eastern and western cultures • dolphin-spotting on the coast between the Umdloti and Tugela rivers • experiencing Zulu traditions and culture at authentic villages • deep-sea fishing off Sodwana Bay KwaZulu-Natal is the only province with a monarchy provided for in its legislation. fact 46 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 47 Provinces NORTHERN CAPE Capital: Kimberley Principal languages: Afrikaans 68% Setswana 20,8% isiXhosa 2,5% Population: 902 300 (Mid-year estimates, 2005) Area (km2): 361 830 % of total area: 29,7% GDPR at current prices (2003): R29,659 billion % of total GDP: 2,4% Source: Statistics South Africa • the Greater St Lucia and Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Sites. Northern Cape The Northern Cape lies to the south of the mighty Orange River, which provides the basis for a healthy agricultural industry. Away from the Orange, the landscape is characterised by vast arid plains with outcroppings of haphazard rock piles. The province is renowned for its spectacular display of spring flowers which, for a short period every year, attracts thousands of tourists. Provincial economy Mining, particularly the production of diamonds and iron ore, dominates the economy. The province is also rich in asbestos, manganese, fluorspar and marble. Strong growth areas include game farming and food production. Tourist attractions: • the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, which, together with the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana, forms Africa’s first transfrontier conservation area, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park • the Augrabies Falls, among the world’s greatest cataracts • the Sol Plaatje Museum in Kimberley. 47 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 48 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2005/06 Free State The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa. Between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the south, this immense rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye can see. The capital, Bloemfontein, houses the Supreme Court of Appeal, a leading university and some top schools. FREE STATE Capital: Bloemfontein Principal languages: Sesotho 64,4% Afrikaans 11,9% isiXhosa 9,1% Population: 2 953 100 (Mid-year estimates, 2005) Area (km2): 129 480 % of total area: 10,6% GDPR at current prices (2003): R69,094 billion % of total GDP: 5,5% Source: Statistics South Africa Provincial economy Mining, particularly gold, is the biggest employer, followed by manufacturing. A gold reef of over 400 km stretches across Gauteng and the Free State. The province accounts for 30% of South Africa’s total gold production, and contributes significant amounts of silver, bituminous coal and diamonds. The Free State has cultivated land covering 3,2 million ha. Field crops yield almost two-thirds of the province’s agricultural income, with most of the balance being contributed by animal products. Tourist attractions: • the sandstone formations at Golden Gate • the spectacular scenery of the town of Clarens The Free State is the third-biggest province but has the second-smallest population. fact 48 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 49 Provinces • the King’s Park Rose Garden in Bloemfontein • the Basotho Cultural Village in the QwaQwa National Park • the desolate beauty – and watersports – of Sterkfontein Dam. North West North West borders Botswana, fringed by the Kalahari Desert in the west, and the Witwatersrand in the east. A province of varied attractions, North West is home to some of South Africa’s most visited national parks, the celebrated Sun City and Lost City resorts, picturesque dams and dense bush. NORTH WEST Capital: Mafikeng Principal languages: Setswana 65,4% Afrikaans 7,5% isiXhosa 5,8% Population: 3 823 900 (Mid-year estimates, 2005) Area (km2): 116 320 % of total area: 9,5% GDPR at current prices (2003): R81,442 billion % of total GDP: 6,5% Source: Statistics South Africa Provincial economy North West is, thanks to platinum in particular, the dominant province in terms of mineral sales, which contribute 25,6% to the provincial economy. Diamonds are also mined here. Manufacturing activities include fabricated metals, food and non-metals. North West is South Africa’s leading producer of white maize. Some of the world’s largest cattle herds are found in the area around Vryburg. fact The Rustenburg-Brits region is the largest single platinum- production area in the world. 49 05.Provinces.qxp 3/30/06 11:45 AM Page 50 Pocket Guide to South Africa 2005/06 Tourist attractions: • Mafikeng, site of the Anglo-Boer/South African War siege • the mampoer (moonshine) country of Groot Marico • entertainment, gaming and sports at Sun City and the Palace of the Lost City • a game drive or walk in Madikwe Game Reserve, home to 10 000 animals • spotting the Big Five in the Pilanesberg National Park • Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.